Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

1G8HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THEthanhe fainted, and Grant was left with two onhis hands, and had to cling to a root in thebank, which was toohim to get out alone. The three were, after ahigh and perpendicular fortime, safely hauled out with a rope.The remainderof the detachment crossed in safety,andwere eventually joined by other detachmentsunder Lieutenant Owgan from Fort Beaufort, andEnsign Crampton from Fort England, the strengthof the whole party being1 captain,5 subalterns,7 sergeants, 2 drummers, and 153 rank andfile. The entire force that Sir Harry Smith hadwith him was in light marching order, beingcomposed of the two companies of the 91st abovementioned, two companies of the 45th, two companiesof the Rifle Brigade, two squadrons ofthe Cape Mounted Rifles, and two 6-pounders.On arrival at the Orange River,it was found thatit was also in flood and unfordable, and themeans of crossing was limited to two indiarubberpontoons ;however, a boat was discovered mooredunder the trees on the far side of the river, theonly difficulty being how to get at it, as it wasguarded by some of the Boers. Two men of the91st Hillyard, alreadymentioned in the accountof crossing the Great Fish River, and Thomson